As featured in Only In Your State and on Instructables.com

The Book Arch at Sandman Books

This massive art installation is a paper sculpture made of books that were destined for the recycle bin. Instead of being destroyed, the orphaned tomes were repurposed into a work of sustainable art by Scott Hill & Will Corner. The poetry of the elder books providing support for their intellectual descendants is not lost on booklovers, and the Book Arch has become a "must see" tourist attraction for visitors to Punta Gorda.

Inspired by the artists' original arch on Burnt Store Road, aspects of the Book Arch were carefully deconstructed and relocated to 5240 Duncan Road when the bookstore moved there in 2019. It has settled into its new home well - stop by and see it as soon as you have the chance!

Black Cat with Book Arch

Photo by David Sussman

Weddings & Engagements

The Book Arch is a great place for booklovers to tie the knot! More than one wedding has already taken place at this location and several are planned for the future. 

Image by Brian C Idocks 

Costumes & Selfies

Cosplayers and bookish fashionistas flock to the Book Arch for selfies with this amazing background.

Photo © David Sussman. Costume made by Heidi Lange, worn by Scott Hill.

Photo © David Sussman. Costume made and worn by Heidi Lange. 

Photo © David Sussman. Costume made by Heidi Lange, worn by Narissa Pannell. 

Photo © David Sussman. Costume made and worn by Heidi Lange. 

Image © Sandman Books. Model and costume designer: Morgan Katsarelas. 

How was it made?

Scott Hill (a native of Michigan) designed and built all the shelves at Sandman Books, as well as the art installation known as The Book Arch. When the time came to move the store, Scott was joined by the late Will Corner and they redesigned the Arch to fit more beautifully into the new location. Will's special project was the double rainbow, constructed of recycled vintage pulp fiction paperbacks.

Photo © Sue Wade